Youth Cup Reaction: Emmanuel Adeyeye reflects on FA Youth Cup trumph

Full back delighted as Blues head into round three with great win over Barnet

Emmanuel Adeyeye was delighted to emerge triumphant against his former club as Blues beat Barnet 1-0 at Roots Hall to reach the Third Round of The FA Youth Cup.

The second-year scholar was part of a superb rearguard action in the second half that helped ten-man Southend protect a slender 1-0 lead, and he had particular words of praise for defensive colleagues Daniel Matsuzaka and Sonny Coutts.

“I’m really happy. It's a great feeling. We worked hard and grafted for it, and that makes it even more worth it,” he beamed.

“Especially after we went down to ten men we had to narrow up the play and try to defend first and then get the ball into wide areas for George or Nico or Brandon to get onto it.

“It was very good to play alongside Dan and Sonny. They’re both leaders and they talk well, and Dan showed that by getting on the bench for the first-team last week, and that’s only going to help the back four.”

Adeyeye was delighted to play a part in the success, and get one over a couple of old colleagues in the process: “I knew two of their players. I signed there when I was quite young, but two of them are still there and I had a word with them after the game.”

“That’s the second time I’ve played against them, and the first time I scored, so I was happy to win this time. I tried to score again, but there weren’t really many opportunities.

Next up are Middlesbrough, also at Roots Hall, and Adeyeye is calling on to the club's fans to continue the fantastic support they have given the squad in the competition so far.

“I've heard Middlesbrough are doing very well in their league, but hopefully here at Roots Hall, with a big crowd, we can disappoint them,” he said.

“The fans can play a very big part. There were a lot of people here tonight, but hopefully we can get even more. That would be very good and hopefully it will hold us in good stead for the future. The more fans that come to watch, the better.”

The left-back had a small taste of first-team experience when he travelled with the senior squad to Cheltenham Town as back-up earlier in the season, and he admitted he is eager for this FA Youth Cup run to help him return to that environment.

“It’s much more like a first-team game because at Boots & Laces we only get a few supporters. When you’re on the pitch, you don’t really focus on them, but you hear them and that’s a good thing.

“I just want another chance. If I keep on doing what I’m doing, and I concentrate on doing well for the youth team, then hopefully the gaffer will keep on watching and I’ll impress him again. Once you get one taste of it, you want another taste of it, and that’s what I want,” he concluded.